NASA’s boldest and most challenging mission is so far proving a spectacular success.
The Phoenix Mars Lander was launched on August 4, 2007, and travelled 220 million kilometres before making a near-perfect touchdown on the red planet on May 25.
The landing site in the North Polar Region was chosen carefully so the robotic arm on Phoenix could collect soil samples and deliver them to a small laboratory on the deck of the Lander.
The robotic arm has performed flawlessly, digging small trenches and delivering soil to the sample wheel of the Lander’s optical mi¬croscope station for close-up imaging and analysis.
The most exciting announcement from the Phoenix scientists has been confirmation of water ice near the surface beside the Lander.
And scientists expect even bigger discoveries in the weeks ahead.
- If you are interested in space discoveries of your own, there are some extra-special objects to view this month.
Mercury, Venus and Mars will appear together, low in the western evening twilight.
The trio will change configuration daily and make for some interesting observations.
Venus, the Evening Star, shines brilliantly and almost outshines Jupiter which lies directly overhead about 8pm.
Jupiter is always one of the best planets to view because it is by far the biggest planet in the Solar System – more than 1300 earths would fit into its volume.
It exerts a huge gravitational pull, which is lucky for us as it deflects straying comets and asteroids that otherwise may have hit Earth. Jupiter’s size ensures even the smallest of telescopes can glimpse the cloud bands, polar flattening and the four Galilean moons.
Our own moon will have the last quarter on September 22.
September 23 will bring Spring Equinox, where day and night are of equal length, with the sun above the equator.
Make the most of the two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, appearing in the night sky at the same time and enjoy the views.
To view these planets through amazing telescopes, visit the Gingin Observatory for an evening of stargazing.
This month’s special event will be Aboriginal Astronomy with Noel Nannup (Sunday, September 28). Ring 9575 7740 for bookings.